Ontario pets face year-round exposure to external parasitesāincluding fleas, ticks, and, increasingly, the heartworm parasite. Hereās what you need to knowāand how to protect your furry friend.
1. Flea & Tick Prevention
* Ticks are on the rise in Ontario and across Canada, especially those carrying zoonotic diseases like Lyme, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis
* Ticks can inhabit leaf litter, wooded areas, long grass, and even yards and homesābrown dog ticks can live year-round indoors across Canada.
* Statistics: CAPC aggregates over 61 million test results annually for tick-borne diseases, helping generate regional risk maps.
Prevention Tips:
* Use effective year-round flea/tick preventivesātopical or oral options.
* Check your pet daily after outdoor time.
* Keep lawns mowed and avoid long grass trimming near play areas.
* For high-risk zones, consider Lyme vaccination for dogs.
2. Heartworm Prevention
* Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is transmitted via mosquitoes and increasingly found in Canada.
* CAPC reports over 121 million heartworm test results annually, contributing to accurate risk forecasting.
* CAPC recommends year-round preventives for dogs, plus annual testing using both antigen and microfilariae tests. More Information.
Ontario Pet Care:
* Since Ontario experiences warm months with mosquito activity, year-round preventive medication is strongly advised.
* Annual screening ensures early detectionāessential before starting or continuing prevention.
3. Why This Matters in Ontario
* Ontario’s diverse climate supports both tick and mosquito populations during much of the year.
* Regional CAPC risk maps (based on Forward Sortation Area data) help pinpoint high-exposure zones.
* With such large-scale testing, CAPC forecasts are over 94% accurate in predicting regional disease patterns.
4. Recommendations for Ontario Pet Owners
* Parasite Prevention Testing/Screens
* Fleas & Ticks Year-round topical/oral preventive; yard maintenance Tick checks after outdoor play; consider Lyme vaccine for dogs
* Heartworm Year-round heartworm preventive (monthly chew or topical) Annual antigen + microfilariae test
5. Talk to Us
At Roncesvalles Animal Hospital, we rely on science-based, region-specific guidance from the CAPC to tailor parasite prevention plans. Letās:
* Evaluate your petās risk level
* Choose the best preventive products
* Schedule annual testing and vaccines
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Summary: Ontario pets are susceptible to fleas, ticks, and heartworm throughout the year. CAPC data supports effective, yearāround prevention. Consistent use of preventives and annual testing are the best defensesāensuring you and your pet stay safe and healthy.
Want personalized advice? Call us at 416-531-8282 or book an appointment online.
Stay parasite-free!
Dr. Hana & the RAH team š¶š±
